NASFAA's Off the Cuff Podcast

Latest Episodes:

OTC AskRegs Experts: Recapping the FSA Training Conference and More OBBBA Updates Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

This week on "Off the Cuff," Hugh, Jill, and Sarah share some takeaways from last week's Federal Student Aid (FSA) training conference, where officials from the Department of Education (ED) provided policy updates geared towards financial aid professionals. Jill provides updates on FAFSA, Pell Grant and Workforce Pell developments, the common manual for the Federal Direct Loan Program, and more. Sarah then catches listeners up on more updates regarding implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), and explains a recent electronic announcement detailing upcoming changes to several FSA systems to support the expansion of Pell Grant eligibility for eligible workforce programs and revised limits on federal student loans.

OTC Inside The Beltway: Pell Grant Shortfall Widens and the Draft 2027-28 FAFSA Opens for Public Comment Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

This week on "Off The Cuff," Melanie is joined by Karen to discuss what attendees can expect with the upcoming in-person Federal Student Aid (FSA) conference next week. From there, the team debriefs the Congressional Budget Office's new projections of a funding shortfall in the Pell Grant program. Karen then debriefs listeners on the draft 2027-28 FAFSA, which is now open for public comment, and explains how listeners can submit their own comments. Lastly, Melanie walks through NASFAA's recent webinars regarding private loan lending amid the implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), and highlights NASFAA resources.

OTC AskRegs Experts: Understanding Student Marital Status Changes Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

This week on "Off the Cuff," Tim is joined by David and Norma to do a deep dive on what financial aid professionals should do if a student's marital status changes. The team first discusses how and why a student's marital status would change from when they first filed their FAFSA. David then tells a "dramatic" story, a scenario that he created, to illustrate the rules for updating a student's marital status after their FAFSA is filed.

OTC AskRegs Experts: Debriefing Data Analyses of OBBBA's New Accountability Metrics Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

This week on "Off the Cuff," Tim is joined by Jill and Sarah to discuss additional member resources and analyses regarding the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Jill begins the discussion by unpacking analyses that evaluate how OBBBA's new accountability framework could impact institutions. From there, Sarah explains several new OBBBA resources NASFAA recently published, including a chart outlining student loan repayment plan options, campus leadership briefs, and more.

OTC Inside the Beltway: Funding Deal for ED Enacted and NASFAA's New OBBBA Resources Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

This week on "Off The Cuff," Melanie is joined by Karen and Nalia to discuss the latest news in the appropriations process. The team first discusses what attendees can expect at NASFAA's 2026 Leadership & Legislative Conference & Expo next week. From there, Nalia walks listeners through the last few weeks in Washington, D.C., where the Department of Education (ED) faced a lapse in appropriations for a few days. However, Congress ultimately passed legislation funding ED and other agencies through the end of the fiscal year, September 30. Melanie also gives an update regarding the FSA in-person conference in March. Lastly, Karen debriefs listeners on NASFAA's latest resources for members regarding the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

OTC AskRegs Experts: Working Through Clock-Hour To Credit-Hour Conversion Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

This week on "Off the Cuff," Tim and David provide an overview of clock-hour to credit-hour conversion, and its impact on aid eligibility. The team kicks things off by walking listeners through FSA Handbook terminology. David goes on to explain how the term is used to determine the eligibility of an undergraduate credit-hour certificate program, as well as the enrollment status and intensity for a student enrolled in such a program. David also outlines the types of non-degree credit hour undergraduate programs, and goes on to provide some examples taken from an academic calendars webinar handout.

OTC AskRegs Experts: Tracking OBBBA's Implementation Timeline Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

This week on "Off the Cuff," Tim is joined by Jill and Sarah to catch listeners up on where things stand with the implementation timeline for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Jill kicks things off with some background on the negotiated rulemaking (neg reg) process and how the committee's discussions will impact the student loan portfolio, Pell Grants, and institutional accountability metrics. Sarah then walks through upcoming changes to federal Pell Grant awards for 2026-27 award year and details a new NASFAA flowchart that can guide members through that process.

OTC Inside the Beltway: Looking at the Year Ahead for Higher Ed Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

This week on "Off The Cuff," Melanie and Karen give an overview of what could be in store for higher education this year. Melanie kicks things off with an overview of the implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and its impact on aid offices, and also highlights recent comments from Education Secretary Linda McMahon about the administration's priorities for higher education in 2026. Karen then catches listeners up on the latest developments in ongoing negotiated rulemaking sessions, focusing on workforce Pell Grants and a new institutional accountability framework. The team also shares some of the latest FAFSA developments and rounds things out with an update on the appropriations process.

OTC AskRegs Experts: Working Through Mid-Term Processing Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

This week on "Off the Cuff," Tim is joined by David Tolman, David Futrell, and Norma Robinson to discuss some frequent and common questions that come up at the tail end of the year and the transition from the fall to the spring term. The team specifically works through student withdrawal scenarios, mid-term processing, and highlights guidance the Department of Education (ED) has most recently provided.

OTC Inside The Beltway: Previewing the AHEAD Committee Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

This week on "Off The Cuff," Melanie and Karen give a preview of what's to come for the Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) Committee, which is set to meet for its first negotiated rulemaking session next week. Melanie begins the conversation by acknowledging that the FSA Training Conference would normally be held this week and addresses member concerns. From there, Karen gives an update on verification guidance from the Department of Education (ED). The team ends the conversation by debriefing listeners on what the AHEAD Committee's agenda, which includes a new Workforce Pell Program and other initiatives enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

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